Pedestal pocket tray containment system for integrated circuit chips

ABSTRACT

A stacking tray for electrical components, such as integrated circuit chips, particularly those of the ball grid array (BGA) type is disclosed. The tray is stackable and includes an upper side and a lower side. An array of storage pockets is formed between the upper side of a lower tray and the lower side of an upper tray. The storage pockets are separated by complementary support elements and further include a segmented pedestal arising from the center of the storage pocket, on the upper side of the trays. The segmented pedestal supports the integrated circuit chip, without interfering with the spherical balls. Moreover, the tray allows for variation of the dimensions of the integrated circuit chip while adequately stabilizing the chip.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention pertains to a tray for the storage and transportation of integrated circuit chips, particularly ball grid array (BGA) chips.

2. Description of the Prior Art

The need for mechanical and electrostatic protection of integrated circuit chips during storage and transportation is firmly established in the prior art. The use of stacking trays for the storage and transportation of integrated circuit chips, as well as for providing the trays in an unstacked configuration for subsequent pick-and-place operations, is well developed and is particularly well adapted for its intended purposes. However, the wide variety of dimensions and configurations (which may be as subtle as edge clearance, ball pitch or device thickness) of integrated circuit chips makes it difficult to assure that a properly sized tray will be available for the many different integrated circuit chips which may need to be stored or transported from a given location, particularly if the trays are configured to hold the chips by their edges within pockets of the trays. This can be a particular concern for ball grid array (BGA) chips which include spherical protrusions which must be accommodated without compromising the mechanical or electrostatic protection.

Some examples of the prior art stackable trays can be found in U.S. Pat. No. 5,400,904 entitled “Tray for Ball Terminal Integrated Circuits”, issued to Maston et al. on Mar. 28, 1995; U.S. Pat. No. 5,103,976 entitled “Tray for Integrated Circuits with Supporting Ribs”, issued to Murphy on Apr. 14, 1992; U.S. Pat. No. 5,080,228 entitled “Integral Carrier and System for Electrical Components”, issued to Maston et al. on Jan. 14, 1992; U.S. Pat. No. 5,000,697 entitled “Carrier System for PGA Electrical Components”, issued to Murphy on Mar. 19, 1991; U.S. Pat. No. 4,765,471 entitled “Electrical Component Carrier”, issued to Murphy on Aug. 23, 1988.

Additional examples can be found in commonly owned U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/414,617, filed on Apr. 16, 2003 entitled “Stackable Tray for Integrated Circuits with Corner Support Elements and Lateral Support Elements Forming Matrix Tray Capture System” and commonly owned U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/057,343, filed on Feb. 14, 2005, entitled “Stackable Tray for Integrated Circuit Chips”.

OBJECTS AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an apparatus and method for the storage of integrated circuit chips, particularly ball grid array (BGA) chips.

It is therefore a further object of the present invention to provide an apparatus and method for the storage and shipment of integrated circuit chips of different dimensions within a single device.

These and other objects are attained by providing stacking trays with storage pockets formed on the upper and lower surfaces. Successive trays may be stacked so that the storage pockets on the upper surface of a storage tray align with the storage pockets on the lower surface of an upwardly adjacent tray to form storage pockets to retain the integrated circuit chips. The storage pocket on an upper surface of the trays contains a central segmented pedestal. The pedestal stabilizes and supports the integrated circuit chip from underneath so that the integrated circuit chip, particularly a BGA chip, is supported in an area that is not populated with the device spherical interconnecting balls. The segmented pedestal lifts the integrated circuit chip from the floor of the tray to not allow contact of the integrated circuit chips spheres to other portions of the tray when the trays are tilted. The pedestal is typically segmented to allow for variations in the integrated circuit chip, particularly domes which may form on the lower surface of a BGA integrated circuit chip. Additionally, the segments typically further include ears or protrusions to further stabilize the integrated circuit chip supported by the pedestal. These ears are configured and arranged so to not interfere with the sphere array of the supported device.

The tray conforms to JEDEC standards which sets the tray outline, storage pocket locations, outer rail height and stacking configuration which permits an integrated circuit chip seated in a full storage pocket defined by a lower tray storage pocket and an upper tray storage pocket to be restrained and stabilized.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Further objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description and claims, and from the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a top perspective view of the tray of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a bottom perspective view of the tray of the present invention.

FIG. 3 shows an area of detail of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 shows an area of detail of FIG. 2.

FIG. 5 is a top plan view of the tray of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view along plane 6-6 of FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 is a bottom plan view of the tray of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view, formed along the diagonal of a storage pocket formed by two successive trays of the present invention, showing a ball grid array (BGA) integrated circuit chip secured therein.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the configuration of FIG. 8.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring now to the drawings in detail wherein like numerals refer to like elements throughout the several views, one sees that FIG. 1 is a top perspective view of the tray 10 of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a bottom perspective view of the tray 10 of the present invention, FIG. 5 is a top plan view of the tray 10 of the present invention and FIG. 7 is a bottom plan view of the tray 10 of the present invention. Tray 10 conforms to the standards of JEDEC and hence is bounded by long sides 12, 16 and short sides 14, 18 with interior structure provided by planar floor 20. Sides 12, 14, 16, 18 are bounded by downwardly extending peripheral skirt 22 (see FIG. 6) which further includes upper indentation 24 for receiving the peripheral skirt 22 of an upwardly adjacent tray thereby allowing the trays 10 to be stacked. Flanges 26, 28 are provided on short sides 14, 18 offset from one another in accordance with JEDEC standards to provide indication of the front and back of the tray. Additionally, as shown on FIG. 5, the upper interior surface of sides 12, 14, 16, 18 include respective tab pairs 13, 15, 17, 19 for receiving the respective corresponding tabs 21, 23, 25, 27 on the lower interior surface of sides 12, 14, 16, 18 of a successive identical upper tray 10, thereby aligning successive trays 10 in a stacked configuration. As noted, the entire peripheral structure, including peripheral skirt 22, upper indentation 24 and flanges 26, 28, is made in accordance with JEDEC standards to provide for standardized automated handling of tray 10.

Corner 30 is formed at the intersection of sides 12, 14. Corner 32 is formed at the intersection of sides 14, 16. Corner 34 is formed at the intersection of sides 16, 18. Corner 36 is formed at the intersection of sides 12, 18. L-shaped support elements 40 are formed on the upper surface or side (FIGS. 1, 3 and 5) inwardly adjacent from corners 30, 32, 34, 36. T-shaped support elements 44 are formed inwardly adjacent from sides 12, 14, 16, 18 on the upper surface of tray 10, and X-shaped support elements 46 are formed on the upper surface in the interior of tray 10 thereby defining storage pockets 101-121 (see FIGS. 5 and 7) which are configured in rows and columns within the rectangular shape of tray 10, which could likewise be provided in a square or other shape. Storage pockets 109, 111, 113 include a solid planar floor 20 thereby forming vacuum storage pockets to permit vacuum operated equipment to couple to the tray 10 whereas the remaining storage pockets have a substantial portion of planar floor 20 removed as described below. Additionally, support elements 40, 44, 46 typically have beveled upper (in the configuration or orientation of FIGS. 1 and 3) surfaces.

As shown in FIGS. 2, 4 and 7, the lower surface or side of tray 10 includes L-shaped support elements 52 inwardly adjacent from corners 30, 32, 34, 36. As best seen in FIG. 4, L-shaped support elements 52 include legs 54, 56 oriented perpendicular to each other, meeting at apex 58, with an outer portion of legs 54, 56 removed adjacent to apex 58 in order to allow the corresponding L-shaped support element 40 from the upper surface of a downwardly successive tray 10 to seat on L-shaped support element 52. Additionally, the inner portion of legs 54, 56 have a reduced height, and ledge 59 of this reduced height is formed along the interior of L-shaped support element 52. T-shaped support elements 60 are formed inwardly adjacent from sides 12, 14, 16, 18 on the lower surface of tray 10. T-shaped support elements 60 are formed from collinear head segments 62, 64 which are parallel to the immediately adjacent side of the tray and further formed from segment 66 which is perpendicular to the head segments 62, 64. A portion of the interior of segment 66 immediately adjacent to the intersection 68 of segments 62, 64, 66 is removed thereby forming slot 67. Similarly, an outer portion of the collinear head segments 62, 64 immediately adjacent to the intersection 68 is removed in order, along with slot 67, to form a seat to receive the corresponding T-shaped support element 44 from the upper surface of a downwardly successive tray 10. Additionally, the inner portion of segments 62, 64, 66 have a reduced height, and ledge 69 of this reduced height is formed on both sides of segment 66 and along the interior of segments 62, 64.

X-shaped support elements 70 are formed from four segments 71, 72, 73, 74 at successive right angles to each other, joining at center 75. The interior of each four segments 71, 72, 73, 74 is removed thereby forming slots in order to form a seat to receive the corresponding X-shaped element 46 from an upper surface of a downwardly successive tray 10. Additionally, the inner portion of segments 71, 72, 73, 74 have a reduced height, and ledge 77 of this reduced height is formed along both sides of segments 71, 72, 73, 74. Typically, ledges 59, 69 and 77 are of equal height.

Support elements 52, 60, 70 typically include beveled upper (in the configuration or orientation of FIGS. 2 and 4) surfaces and are formed directly below respective support elements 40, 44, 46.

As shown in FIGS. 1, 3, and 5, the upper surface of tray 10 (which forms the lower surface of the storage pockets 101-121) includes, in each storage pocket other than vacuum storage pockets 109, 111, 113, eight octant-oriented apertures 201-208. Rotationally segmented pedestal 210, comprised of segments 212, 214, 216, 218, each forming approximately a quarter circle, arise from the center of each storage pocket on the upper surface of the tray 10. Segment 212 spans apertures 201, 202. Segment 214 spans apertures 203, 204. Segment 216 spans apertures 205, 206. Segment 218 spans apertures 207, 208. The midpoint of segments 212, 214, 216, 218 includes respective outwardly or diagonally extending protrusions or ears 220, 222, 224, 226. Protrusions or ears 220, 222, 224, 226 extend toward respective corners of the storage pocket, thereby extending toward the respective corners of the integrated circuit chip 1000 contained therein, thereby providing additional support to the integrated circuit chip 1000 (see FIGS. 8 and 9).

As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the integrated circuit chip 1000 is captured between successive trays 10. Pedestal 210 supports the integrated circuit chip 1000 while being sufficiently spaced from the various support elements to allow the spherical balls 1002 to point downwardly without being contacted by pedestal 210 or any other portion. The edges of integrated circuit chip 1000 are likewise captured between the corresponding support elements of the successive trays 10. However, as shown in FIG. 8, this configuration allows for variations in the dimensions of integrated circuit chip 1000 wherein the edge on the illustrated left side is firmly engaged or stabilized in both the direction perpendicular to the tray 10 and directions parallel to the tray 10, while the edge on the illustrated right side is less firmly engaged, yet the integrated circuit chip 1000 remains well stabilized without excessive tilt.

Thus the several aforementioned objects and advantages are most effectively attained. Although preferred embodiments of the invention have been disclosed and described in detail herein, it should be understood that this invention is in no sense limited thereby and its scope is to be determined by that of the appended claims. 

1. A tray for integrated circuit chips comprising: a plurality of storage pockets, said storage pockets being bounded at corners thereof by support elements; said storage pockets further including a pedestal for supporting an integrated chip thereon.
 2. The tray for integrated circuit chips of claim 1 wherein said pedestal is spaced from said support elements thereby allowing storage of integrated chips in said storage pockets free of contact with ball grid elements formed on the integrated circuit chips.
 3. The tray for integrated circuit chips of claim 1 wherein the tray is stackable with sequential like trays.
 4. The tray for integrated circuit chips of claim 3 including an upper side and a lower side, wherein an upper side of a tray joins with a lower side of a successively upper tray thereby aligning respective storage pockets to store integrated chips therebetween.
 5. The tray for integrated circuit chips of claim 4 wherein said pedestal is formed on said upper side of the tray.
 6. The tray for integrated circuit chips of claim 5 wherein said support elements are formed on said upper side and said lower side and when a lower tray is stacked and aligned with an upper tray, support elements of the upper side of the lower tray seat with support elements of the lower side of the upper tray.
 7. The tray for integrated circuit chips of claim 6 wherein at least a portion of said support elements includes slots for providing seats for receiving corresponding support elements.
 8. The tray for integrated circuit chips of claim 7 wherein said at least a portion of said support elements including slots further include ledges formed at a height lower than a height of said support elements.
 9. The tray for integrated circuit chips of claim 6 wherein said pedestal is formed from a plurality of segments.
 10. The tray for integrated circuit chips of claim 9 wherein said segments include protrusions extending toward corners of said storage pockets.
 11. The tray for integrated circuit chips of claim 6 wherein said pedestal is rotationally segmented.
 12. The tray for integrated circuit chips of claim 6 wherein chips stored between an upper and a lower tray are at least partially engaged between said support elements of the upper and lower trays thereby stabilizing the chips in a direction perpendicular to the tray.
 13. The tray for integrated circuit chips of claim 12 wherein said support elements on said upper side are directly above said support elements on said lower side.
 14. The tray for integrated circuit chips of claim 13 wherein X-shaped support elements are formed at an intersection of four storage pockets, T-shaped support elements are formed at an intersection of two storage pockets along sides of the tray and L-shaped support elements are formed at outward corners of corner storage pockets.
 15. The tray for integrated circuit chips of claim 14 wherein the tray is rectangular with rows and columns of storage pockets.
 16. The tray for integrated circuit chips of claim 15 including a planar floor for supporting said support elements and said pedestals.
 17. The tray for integrated circuit chips of claim 16 wherein said planar floor is solid through at least a portion of said storage pockets thereby forming vacuum storage pockets to permit vacuum operated equipment to couple to the tray.
 18. The tray for integrated circuit chips of claim 17 wherein said planar floor includes apertures in at least a portion of said storage pockets.
 19. The tray for integrated circuit chips of claim 18 wherein said apertures are octant-oriented within said storage pockets.
 20. The tray for integrated circuit chips of claim 18 wherein said segments span at least a portion of said apertures. 